If you are on this page, you are interested in the term Montessori. We often wonder why certain words keep cropping up in our field of interest and what they mean. So let’s dive in.
What does the word Montessori mean? Montessori is a structured system of education for young children that seeks to develop genuine interests and activities instead of using formal teaching methods. It is based on the educational philosophy, which believes that children learn best when they can choose their activities.
Who Introduced Montessori
The Montessori approach was developed by physician Maria Montessori, born Maria Teresa Mazzetti in Italy in 1870.
She is considered the pioneer of early childhood education and is best known for her revolutionary approach to education that focuses on providing an environment where children can learn through self-directed exploration.
In 1896 Maria Montessori graduated from medical school at Rome University and then studied psychiatry at Harvard University and pediatrics in Vienna before returning home to open a private practice.
In 1901 she opened her first school for underprivileged children in Rome when she realized that there were no suitable schools available for them due to their backgrounds (most were orphans).
What Was Maria Montessori’s Objective When Starting Montessori
Maria Montessori’s objective was to help children develop a love of learning and their full potential, achieve independence, and stay curious throughout life.
As you can see, Montessori’s philosophy centers on the child and their development.
what makes the Montessori idea worth it
The Montessori method is an excellent idea, and it has been around for a long time and is still around today.
The Montessori idea is very good because it’s an idea that helps children do things when they are older and better at doing them.
If you want your children to be intelligent and successful when they grow up, you should start teaching them now to learn all the things they need to know before they hit puberty.
Principles of Maria Montessori
Help the Child to Develop Independence
Ideally, you will want to give your child the opportunity to make their own decisions. This is done by helping them develop a sense of independence and self-control.
The child should be given an option to choose what they do and when. They should also be left alone to fail at something without being judged or punished for it.
If things don’t go well at first, they won’t feel afraid of making another mistake in that area later on. By encouraging independence, children can learn how much control they have over their lives.
Helping the Child to Develop Self-Discipline
Self-discipline is a way of learning to control our actions and feelings. It is essential for children because it helps them be responsible for their actions.
For example, if you have self-discipline when you are young, you will learn that it is important not to touch things that do not belong to you.
As an adult, when someone gives you something expensive or essential like a car or house, they will trust that they won’t lose these items because they know that the person who owns them has self-discipline.
Helping the Child Learn by Doing
In the Montessori Approach, we help children learn by doing. We do not teach them the information they need to know; instead, we allow them to discover it on their own.
The critical thing is that they are engaged in an activity of interest and meaning for them. We call this approach “self-directed learning” because you don’t need to tell kids what to do, and they decide what interests them.
The most common style this happens is through play. Kids love playing with toys and other materials of their choice, so when left alone, they will natura
Teaching Respect for Ourselves, Others, and the Environment
Montessori believes that self-respect is the foundation for children to respect others.
In a Montessori classroom, the teacher encourages self-respect by providing an environment where each child feels valued and respected.
For example, the teacher may ask each student to share their artwork with everyone else in the class.
This provides the students with an opportunity to talk about themselves while they are being listened to by others. The teacher also helps students develop self-respect by using nonjudgmental language.
A Montessori classroom is designed so that all materials are accessible to every child at their level.
This allows each child to choose what interests them without feeling judged by peers who may be further along in their learning process.
Maria’s Principle on Montessori
Supporting Socialization Through Group Activities
A child’s social skills are an essential part of their development. They should be encouraged to interact with others and learn how to get along with them.
A Montessori classroom is set up to encourage this type of interaction, as there are many group activities that can positively impact your child’s socialization skills.
Developing Creativity Through Art and Music
Art is a very crucial part of the Montessori method. It’s a way for children to express themselves, learn about the world around them, and learn about themselves.
Art also can be used to help children understand others and their feelings.
Conclusion
Montessori is a method of education that emphasizes the child’s independence. It was started in 1907 by Maria Montessori using a system of materials for children to learn with. These materials were designed to stimulate their senses and teach them about their environment.
Since then, the Montessori method has been around, with different schools adopting it as an alternative learning style for students who struggle under traditional education models.
FAQs
What is Montessori style parenting? Yes, this is because of the relaxed parenting approach in which children get the freedom to play and make decisions by themselves. This allows the children to have confidence in themselves.
What is a Montessori lifestyle? The Montessori teaching method focuses on encouraging independence in children, and in turn, that independence is translated into a lifestyle that promotes self-sufficiency and freedom.